"Gravity" opinions


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Posted by MG on March 12, 2000 at 21:09:21:

I am a high school tubist (senior) and jazz fanatic who has been working on
jazz since sophomore year. When I first heard about Howard Johnson's
"Gravity", I immediately ran out to go buy it.
That was close to a year ago. However, something that has always
bothered me about this album is the sound quality in the F tuba
solos; it sounds to me for all the world like a trombone playing in
its low register. Now, don't get me wrong, I respect this album as
an incredible piece of work and realize that there are numerous BBb tuba
and euphonium solos on the album. Unfortunately, I can't get this idea
out of my head that using F tubas in jazz circumvents facing the real
challenges in establishing our instrument in this genre (namely, its
increased length of tubing, and low pitch, both of which pose challenges in projecting the sound, blending with a rhythm section containing a string bass, and playing
faster passages clearly).
What do those of you who have this album think? Am I opposing the
underlying idea of jazz that "if it feels right, do it"? Are there
other jazz players out there who have different takes on the situation
between the two instruments?

I welcome criticism as well as agreement because this has been bothering me
for a long time.


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